Demonstrating 'The Last Leaf' concludes with a surprising, contrasting event.

Essay Prompt: Demonstrate how 'The Last Leaf' concludes with a surprising, contrasting event.

Demonstrating 'The Last Leaf' concludes with a surprising, contrasting event.

I. Detailed Outline Demonstrating 'The Last Leaf' Concluding with a Surprising, Contrasting Event (Standard)

1. Introduction

- O. Henry (1862-1910), a renowned American writer, specialized in crafting light-hearted short stories with less drama yet rich in profound human values, deep compassion, and touching humanity.
- The short story 'The Last Leaf' exemplifies his works, focusing on three main characters: the two female painters Gion-xi, Xiu, and the elderly artist Bomen, with a conclusion full of contrasts and surprises.

2. Body of the Essay

- Summarizing the conclusion
- First Reversal Event:
+ Gion-xi recovers from illness, joyfully knitting and observing her friend Xiu cooking. She even mentions dreams of painting the Gulf of Naples...(Continued)

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II. Sample Essay Demonstrating 'The Last Leaf' Concluding with a Surprising, Contrasting Event

O. Henry (1862-1910), a renowned American writer, specialized in crafting short stories that revolved around impoverished individuals, their struggles against difficulties, and illnesses. His narratives, though gentle and less dramatic, were rich in profound human values, deep compassion, and touching humanity. 'The Last Leaf' is a prime example of his work, focusing on three main characters: the two young painters, Gion-xi, Xiu, and the elderly artist Behrman, with a story conclusion full of contrasts and surprises.

The concluding paragraphs of the tale portray Gion-xi lying bedridden due to pulmonary illness, in a pessimistic state awaiting death. She uses a normal leaf outside the window as a milestone marking the end of her life. Her friend, Xiu, deeply concerned, shares Gion-xi's despair with the elderly artist, Behrman. In an act of great kindness, Behrman paints an exact replica of the normal leaf that fell, intending to restore hope for the young girl. This masterpiece becomes his life's only achievement and ironically leads to the self-sacrifice of the compassionate elderly artist.

Summarizing the conclusion, we observe two reversal events. Firstly, Gion-xi's recovery from illness and optimistic engagement in daily activities, expressing dreams of painting her Gulf of Naples. All the positive developments of a despondent girl, always contemplating the end of her life, seemingly come from her realization that the ordinary leaf (which she believed to be the last leaf) persisting on the branch after many storms is symbolic of resilience. This perception improves her spirits, as if the existence of the leaf (originally painted) is an effective mental remedy, a fantastic placebo that miraculously saves her from the clutches of death and aids in her miraculous recovery.

The second reversal event is the sudden death of Behrman, a seemingly healthy individual who, like Gion-xi, succumbs to a rapid onset of pneumonia. This brings a shock to readers, as Gion-xi had just triumphed over her illness with a previously dire condition. Behrman's swift departure is abrupt. Later, readers and the two young girls discover that Behrman sacrificed himself out of boundless compassion for Gion-xi. It was a shared empathy between individuals in similar predicaments that drove him to do something to save the young girl from the grasp of death. An idea formed in Behrman's mind, compelling him to act before it was too late. He knew that the ordinary leaf wouldn't withstand the night's storm, so he had to paint a replacement leaf beforehand for Gion-xi to see and stave off discouragement. Thus, we can imagine an elderly man braving the storm, cold and harsh, attempting to climb a simple ladder, using all the warmth and humaneness of his heart to paint the most vivid, beautiful leaf. It was an artistic masterpiece. While it may not have the finest strokes or the most suitable color palette, the painting saved a life, the life of a girl standing on the brink of death.